"The loss of these women affects our communities greatly. Each and every one of them left behind family, loved ones and in many cases children." ~Denise Stonefish

Dear friends,

We pass along this message from our friends at the Missoula Urban Indian Health Center...According to the Sovereign Bodies Institute, over 50 indigenous women and girls went missing in the state of Montana in 2018. Indigenous women and girls make up around 3% to 4% of the population in the state but are around 30% of those deemed missing by the Montana Department of Justice. 97% of perpetrators of violent crime against indigenous women were non-native as found by the National Justice Institute. This is not just a reservation problem; urban areas such as Missoula and Billings have some of the highest cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Billings is ranked fifth in the nation for MMIWG cases, as stated by the Urban Health Institute. In response to this crisis, The Missoula Urban Indian Health Center (MUIHC), in partnership with the Missoula Human Trafficking Task Force, are committed to addressing this human rights issue.

Historically, red is the color associated with MMIWG awareness. August 10th is the “Rock Your Rodeo Red” MMIWG event at the PRCA Rodeo at the Western Montana Fair Grounds. Show your support for MMIWG families and survivors by purchasing an Indian Taco at the MUIHC booth and a Rock Your Rodeo Red t-shirt at the MUIHC informational booth. The support of the Western Montana Fair will enable MUIHC and the Missoula Human Trafficking Task Force to reach a broad audience of all Montanans who may be unaware of the severity of the MMIWG issue.

This event will include an honoring drum song, a color guard of flags from all Montana tribes, and a procession of families impacted by the crisis. Please join us as we honor the lives and legacies of these indigenous women and girls.

Move To Amend asks us to sign their "We The People" Amendment petition

Everytown for Gun Safety asks us to sign on to the Disarm Hate Act of 2019 to keep guns out of the hands of people convicted of hate crimes.

Kings Bay Plowshares are planning a community fast to last from Hiroshima Day August 6th through Nagasaki Day August 9th in solidarity with the KINGS BAY PLOWSHARES 7 (http://www. kingsbayplowshares7.org). Sign their petition to dismiss all charges from the Kings Bay Plowshares 7

Travel the World Without Leaving Home. Be a host family for the Mansfield Center. Contact Deena at the Mansfield Center

August 30-September 1: Students and young professionals studying global environmental issues. Host a pair from two of the following countries: Brunei, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Timor Leste

English Language Institute Global Engagement Office is looking for community hosts for Japanese high school studetns arriving in July for 2 weeks. Contact Sarah Biortis at sarah.bortis@mso.umt.edu or 243-5885

World Beyond War asks us to sign their Declaration of Peace -- "I understand that wars and militarism make us less safe rather than protect us, that they kill, injure and traumatize adults, children and infants, severely damage the natural environment, erode civil liberties, and drain our economies, siphoning resources from life-affirming activities. I commit to engage in and support nonviolent efforts to end all war and preparations for war and to create a sustainable and just peace." To sign this, and to get involved in many different ways go to https://worldbeyondwar.org

Here's a list of organizations that need your support to continue working with asylum seekers on the border.

ActBlue Charities set up a link that allows you to donate to 14 different organizations, including the ACLU, United We Dream, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project. Donate here.

Saturday, July 27, 2-7 pm. UM’s English Language Institute is looking for community members to host 1-2 high school students from Kumamoto, Japan, (Montana’s sister state) for one afternoon, Hosts will coordinate an activity or excursion for their students and then provide dinner either at home or out. We need hosts for 23 students. Contact Sarah Bortis at sarah.bortis@mso.umt.edu or 243-5885.

Saturday, August 10, 7-10 pm, Western MT Fair. “Rock Your Rodeo Red” MMIWG (Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls) event at the PRCA Rodeo. Show your support for MMIWG families and survivors by purchasing an Indian Taco at the MUIHC booth and a Rock Your Rodeo Red t-shirt at the MUIHC informational booth. The support of the Western Montana Fair will enable MUIHC and the Missoula Human Trafficking Task Force to reach a broad audience of all Montanans who may be unaware of the severity of the MMIWG issue.https://www.facebook.com/events/390956038434167/

Thursday, August 15, 5:30 pm, PEAS Farm. Time for the annual Garden City Harvest Farm Party.

Thursday-Sunday, August 15-18, Spokane WA Doubletree Hotel. The 2019 National Convention of Veterans For Peace will be hosted by VFP Chapter 35 in Spokane, Washington, August 15-18. The theme of this year's convention is Sacred Lands, Sacred Lives: Peace Knows No Borders. Visit the Veterans For Peace website for more information about our Convention. If you'd prefer to mail in your registration you can download a PDF of the form.

Sunday, August 18, 5 pm, Red Hen Farm & Orchard. Join Community Food and Agriculture Coalition for their first 406 Farm Feast: an evening of delicious local food and beverages in Missoula’s beautiful Target Range. Get to know your local farmers, feast on local delights, and support local food and agriculture. Tickets $60: get them here.

Thursday, September 19, 2-3:30 pm, Room 005 in the PARTV building. South & South-East Asian Studies presents: “Religion and the Arts: Poetry, Painting, and Performance from India”, an illustrated lecture by Dr. John Hawley, Professor of Religion at Columbia University. The lecture will be accompanied by music and visuals of dance. Co-sponsored by the School of Dance and Theater. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Wednesday-Sunday, July 10-14 ​Camp Mimanagish, Boulder River Vally, Montana. PRIDE Camp for LGBT+ families and children, couples, children, individuals,or any combination of LGBT+. It will encompass a spiritually broad based program to assist families, children and their families, and individuals to connect with a God of their own understanding without fear of judgment or condemnation for who they are. https://www.mimanagish.org/pride

Friday, July 12, 8 pm, St Paul's Lutheran Church (202 Brooks). Close The Camps Rally in conjunction iwth the national Lights for Liberty -- Stand to voice our horror over the situation on the southern border- specifically in relation to detained children. Join with others in Missoula and around the nation. There are rallies planned for all across the country, including Helena and many other cities. For a listing near you, visit https://www.lightsforliberty.org/

Wednesday, July 17, 11 am-2 pm, Caras Park and 7--9 pm, Bonner Park: The International Choral Festival gets underway with over 400 choir members coming from all over the world! Events on July 17 are free; ongoing performances Thursday-Saturday require a button that can be purchased for $20 at Fact and Fiction, Fresh Market, Good Food Store, Orange Street Food Farm, and at the Festival office (312 East Pine) and at festival events. HOST Families Needed to provide a room with sleeping space for a minimum of two choir members, most meals while they are here, and the ability to provide transport to and from choir events during the festival. If you can be a host, please go to the International Choral Festival website for more information and to sign up. Go to: https://www.choralfestival.org/

Sunday, July 21,12-8 pm, Imagine Nation Brewing. Please join Recycling Works and Imagine Nation Brewing for our second glass drop-off event of the year! Drop-off in the back corner of Imagine Nation's parking lot where that big ole crane used to be.Cost is $5 per 5 gallon bucket filled(these buckets will be at the event), and all recyclers get $1 off a beer or kombucha, courtesy of Imagine Nation! $2 off coupons will be given for those bringing 20 or more gallons.

Saturday, July 27, 2-7 pm. UM’s English Language Institute is looking for community members to host 1-2 high school students from Kumamoto, Japan, (Montana’s sister state) for one afternoon, Hosts will coordinate an activity or excursion for their students and then provide dinner either at home or out. We need hosts for 23 students. Contact Sarah Biortis at sarah.bortis@mso.umt.edu or 243-5885.

Friday, October 18, 6-10 pm, Hilton Garden Inn. World Affairs Council invites you to the Global Gauntlet featuring a no-host bar, gourmet sit-down dinner, silent and live auction, wine “pull” and six rounds of very spirited team trivia. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE! Please email the Council at info@montanaworldaffairs.org or call (406)728-3328 if you have any questions.

Sunday, October 13, 4-8 pm, Missoula County Fairgrounds, Home Arts Building. Get Ready to Celebrate for Peace at our annual Peace Party. Details soon, but let us know if you have ideas or want to volunteer or donate!!!

We received the sad news that Margery Fels Palmer died on Monday April 29, 2019. Our thoughts go out to her husband Mac who stands each week with Women in Black as a member of the local Veterans For Peace Chapter.

Have you read a good article that you'd like to share? Send us a link and we'll take a look!

Ways to Help JRPC

We are looking for volunteers to fill the following positions:

Newsletter editor

We are starting the planning for our fall Peace Party -- and we need you!! Give us a call!

Jeannette Rankin Peace Center has been in Missoula since 1986, working to build non-violence, social justice and sustainability. We are pleased to be a member of the Montana Shares Network, a partnership of Montana-based nonprofit groups devoted to improving the quality of life in communities throughout the state. Give to JRPC through your workplace.www.montanashares.org

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